The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-07-14
\ WORD WITH THE GIRLS.

|
Il the girls we could not desire a
better one, and when it is done as
well as we find in the following edito-
rial in the Danville DAILY Register OF
the ord inst, we need not apologize
for publishing it in full in our columns.
! The Register says:
Even a secular paper may be allowed
to preach little on Sunday morning
and to-day we have word with the
girls. We had rather talk with them
privately, but circumstances beyond
our control" stand in the way Of pri-
vate interviews with our fair young
friends and we must reach them through
the newspaper We may be allowed
to say that We have a special interest in
the girls, for very good reasons ola pri-
vate character which we need not
mention here.
In the first place we have a word to
say about fulsome praise, and we are
very sorry to say that many of the
newspapers indulge in such things at
the expense of the girls.
1t is in very bad taste, it seems to US,
and is custom that needs reform.
To some ladies' these things are very
distastelul, and girls who like such
things should not have their passion
for notoriety gratifed. 1t is very easy
matter to spoil girl whose tendency
is to be vain. If girl has genuine
talent, then it encourages her to have
it recognized and gives her a stimulus
to cultivate it. But it does a girl
much harm to be referred to constantly
IN the newspapers as the beautiful and
charming and accomplished Miss So
and-so. The fact is that many people
estimate themselves entirely from the
standpoint of other people. When
they are told that they possess this or
that accomplishment or virtue they
never stop to inquire whether or not
the compliment IS deserved, but accept
1t as fact, because somebody says so,
and thus deceive themselves. Let us
suggest to our fair friends that they ex-
anime themselves very carefully when
a compliment is paid them and ascer-
tain whether or not it is deserved. 1t
won't do to humbug ourselves in this
matter. Then again girls should look
at the motive of 4 compliment. Flat
terry IS a very dangerous means which
designing men sometimes use for a
purpose, and many girls are deceived
thereby. So when "howery" words
are INDUCED by good looking young
men, look out for the thorns.
Here's another word of caution.
Chivalry has given to woman a very
high position in society, but women
must maintain that position for them
selves. Men are apt to take all the
privileges women allow, and a woman
Eve use the term in its highest sense)
must not IN any way compromise her
dign1tvof character. Prudence is a
very ugN word and suspicion is
crime in womal- She ought to be in
noccnt and conhdenf7s%s su5>|theTe is
bound to such things. We do not
want to offend by using plain language,
but we must say that woman's person
Is sacred and she must not allow her
or confidence to betray her
into any compromise on this score.
This Is too delicate matter to be talked
about, but we must impress the fact
that there are no exceptions to this rule. |
We have nothing to do with people |
who have entered into an honest en-
9agement to get married. In such |
cases we believe custom has allowed |
matters to take their own course. So |
cIety engagements for convenience do
not count, however.
Once more. Intellectual culture is
means of grace. Women who read
and INFORM themselves can entertain
heir visitors in such way that they
mpart benefit to all who come in
contact with them, and people who
AN entertain themselves in an intellec-
ual way are not apt to get into trouble
Men would be coarse and vulgar in
Iced il it were not for the refining in
luence of women. A great response
olllty, therefore, rests on the women
If the land. They are not doing !
heir duty IN society unless they vindi-
ate the purity and refinement of their
ek, and unless they make men better
With whom they come in contact.
}ut the fact IS that unless a man
S improved by his intercourse with
women he is sure to become more de
,rayed.
We can't talk as plainly as we would
N this point, but the idea is that
women must conduct themselves in
UGH way as to make men reverence
nd respect the sex, or men will be
be worse for visiting them. Once
lore. 1t is very unfortunate for a ,
'oman to have too much attention
nd she is in fair way to be spoiled ,